The Red Cross Of Rome And Constantine.

THE RED CROSS OF ROME AND CONSTANTINE .

St . Andrews Conclave , No . 15 . The charter of this conclave having been transferred from Edinburgh to London , an assembly was held at the Freemasons' Tavern , Great Queen-street , for the purpose of installing selected brethren as Knig hts of the Order and

members of the Conclave . Sir Knt . R . Wentworth Little , G . R ., occupied the chair of Constantine ; Sir Knt . W . H . Hubbard , G . T ., that of Eusebius , and Sir Knts . J . G . Marsh , G . A . ; H . C . Levander , M . A ., G . A . T . and M . P . S . 6 , and the Rev . W . B . Church , M . A ., J . G . 6 , assisted

as j unior officers , no other knig hts being required as this was only a preliminary meeting . The following distinguished brethren were then installed as knig hts and charter members of St . Andrew ' s Conclave , No . 15 : — Bro Baynham , W . Stewart , 18 ° , W . M . 12 ,

P . M . 108 , P . Z . K . T ., & c , member of the Board of General Purposes ; Bro . Robert Kenyon , Phoenix Lodge , No . 173 , R . A ., & c . ; Bro . Frederick Biuckes , 30 ° , W . M . 60 , P . M . 10 , 11 , 1185 , P . Z . 382 , Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Mark Masters , P . E C , & c . : Bro . Sigismund

Rosenthal , 33 ° ( of Italy ) , P . M . 235 , P . Z . P . M . W . S . of Mount Calvary Rose + and K . T . Encampment ; Captain Clifford F . Henry , 18 ° , London Lodge , No . 108 ; William Jones , London Lodge , No . 108 ; Joseph Charles Dawson , London Lodge , No 108 .

The Conclave was then closed , and the Knig hts adjourned to dinner , where they were joined by an illustrious member of the 32 ° , and the evening was spent in the interchange of fraternal sentiments , under the chairmanship of Sir Kt . Raynham Stewart , who is to be the

Sovereign of the Conclave , We have no hesitatiou in saying that the St . Andrew ' s Conclave will have a brilliant career under the auspices of Bro . Stewart and the eminent brethren he has chosen to assist him , one of whom is related to the M . W . G . M . of

Ireland , and we are informed an honorable member of Her Majesty ' s Government will be one of the first brethren installed after the formal dedication ceremony . The documents recently discovered in the archives of the Grand Lodge of England as to the antiquity of the

Red + Order , and which by the Earl of Zetland s Trind permission have been handed over to Lord Kenlis , bear such overwhelming evidence in favour of this chivalric degree , that the most sceptical are now convinced of its truth and importance .

Annual Festival Of The New Con Cord Lodge, No. 813.

ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF THE NEW CON CORD LODGE , No . 813 .

This esteemed lodge held its summer Festival at the Crystal Palace , on the 12 th inst ., under the presidency of Bro . J . Hart , W . M ., assisted by Bro . T . Bartlett , S . W ., aud T . Atkius , J . W . There was a large number of brethren amongst whom were J . Bertram , P . M . ; Nightingale , P . M . ; R . J . Boyce ,

PM . ; J . Salisbury , S . D . ; Blythe , J . D . ; Abseil , I . G . ; J . McDavitt , Org ., W . If . Main , P . M ., and Sec , Willsou , P . M . ; Spratt , Vaughan , Lloyd , Massey , W . M . ( 619 ); Gabb , Montford , T . Beard , P . M . ( 101 ) ; Vocani , Dearsley , P . M . ( 3 ); A . McNamara , ( 3 ) ; Davis , Burridge , Merrit , Captain

Taylor , ( 172 ) ; Sinclair Walker , Maggs , Schweitzer , Keymer , Revel , Stone , Rev . D . Shaboe , J . Emmens , P . G . P ., aud P . M . ; Hubbard , Cobliam , Walker , Hunt , Osborne , together with their ladies and nonmasonic friends to the number of 100 . The banquet was served iu the graud saloon , and

comprised everything that could be desired ; at its conclusion grace was said by the Rev . D . Shaboe , and the usual loyal toasts were duly honored . "The Army , Navv , aud Volunteers" was the next toast , to which CAPTAIN TATLOH , responded . Bro . JOHN EMMENS , P . M ., Past Grand Purst ,

whose rising was the sign for hearty aud long continued clieeriug , proposed the uext toast " The Right Hon . the Earl of Zetland , M . W . Grand Master . " No one had a greater respect for his Lordship than he bad , and it was with a great deal of pleasure and true sincerity lie asked them

to drink in bumpers to his health and long life . If it had not been for the Earl of Zetland they would not have been assembled that day , nor would they have had such a joyful afternoon and evening as they had spent . The Earl was a most estimable man , and he repeated , it was with the greatest pleasure and sincerity he offered the toast to their

Annual Festival Of The New Con Cord Lodge, No. 813.

notice . ( The toast , it is almost needless to say , was received in a most enthusiastic manner . ) The PRESIDENT proposed the next toast , " The Rig ht Hon . the Earl de Grey and Ripon , Deputy Grand Master , and the rest of the Grand Officers , " which he said would include a most worthy and

esteemed brother of the New Concord Lodge , ( hear , hear ) , one who was its founder and first Master , and of whom they were one and all justly proud . ( Cheers ) . He believed they all loved Bro . John Emmens as a brother and a friend . ( Loud cheering . ) He hoped the Great Architect of the Uuiverse would

long spare him to be as he was , a bright and shining light in the firmament of Freemasonry . For the Earl de Grey—he believed the Grand Lodge could not boast of a better man or a truer Mason . He therefore trusted they would drink the toast with the same enthusiasm they had the previous

one . ( The toast was drunk with three times three . ) Bro . EMMENS , who was again loudly cheered , said : Brother President , Vice Presidents , Ladies and Gentlemen , I really do not deserve , the flattering language in which the Master has been pleased to address me ; however , I am very grateful to him for

giving me the opportunity of replying to this toast , for no one can entertain a higher opinion of any one , than Ido of the Earl de Grey aud Ripon , and for the rest of the Grand Officers I could say a great deal in their favonr . The Earl is one of those indefatigable Masons the Craft desire to see occupying high

positions . He does all in his powerfor Freemasonry , and has by that means , earned the respect and esteem of all those who know him . On behalf of the Right Hon . the Earl de Grey and Ripon , Deputy Grand Master , and of the rest of the Graud Officers , I beg to tender vou my heartfelt thanks for the handsome

manner in which you have received this toast , aud also to you , air , for what you have said about us . ( Cheers . ) The next toast was " The Visitors , " which was responded to by Bro . BEARD . Bro . JOHN EMMENS said he was quite sure they

would all readily join with him and respond in a hearty manner to the toast it was his great pleasure to offer to their notice . He did not intend to detain them with any long speech , but the W . Master of the Lodge , Bro . Hart ( hear , hear ) , had done everything to promote their happiness and

comfort that da }' . It would be superfluous to dilate upon his excellencies because he was so well known to them . In proposing his health he also wished him long life and prosperity . ( The toast was received witli loud plaudits ) . Bro . HART said when he joined Freemasonry he

found it a very different thing to what some people supposed it to be , it ^ . vas net simply eating and drinking , it was a society , afraternal society , founded upon holy principles . He thanked them most kindly and sincerely for the way in which they had received his name , and he assured them he should ever

remember the time when he presided over them as Worshipful Master ot the New Concord Lodge ( cheers ) , aud of meeting so many kind friends and brothers as he now saw around him . The PRESIDENT next gave " The Officers of the Lodge , ' ' for whom Bro . BARTLETT responded .

The PRESIDENT proposed the health of one who bad been most indefatigable in bis exertions to please , and had been most kind and courteous at all times . He alluded to Bro . Main , P . M . and Secretary . ( Hear , hear , aud cheers ) . He had often met Bro . Main , not only in Masonic Lodges but elsewhere , and he was always the same genial ,

goodhearted fellow ; aud he asked them to join with him in drinking to the health of Bro . Main , P . M . and Secretary . ( From the cordial manner in which this toast was received , it was very evident Bro . Main was not only personally known to and respected by the members , but also by many of the ladies present . ) Bro . MAIN , P . M . and Secretary , returned his very best thanks for the cordial manner in which his

name hid been received , and more particularly did he tender his thanks to the W . M ., for the way iu which he had proposed his health . The lodge " had been rightly named the Concord Lodge , for ever since its formation they had been in every sense of the word in concord with one another . It was only

the second time the lathes had been present at their annual gatherings , and he trusted the arrangements had given satisfaction . ( Hear , hear . ) " The Ladies , " acknowledged by Bro . BEARD ; and " The Press , " were the concluding toasts . The proceedings were an entire success , and great

praise is due to the W . M . Bro . Hart , aud to Bros . Emmens and Main , P . M ., for their exertions to enhance the pleasure of the evening . Miss Rose Hersee , and several professional brethren entertained the company with their magnificent singing , after dinner , and the musical arrangements were , in a word , admirable , thanks to

the directing skill of Bro . McDavitt , Organist of the lodge . We regret much that the pressure on our space precludes us from inserting in extenso the very excellent but volumiuous report which we have received .

Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

[ The Editor is not responsible for the opinions expressed by Correspondents . ] UNIFORMITY OF RITUAL . —PAST MASTERS AS PRECEPTORS .

( To the Editor of Ihe Freemason . ) DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —It is now some three months since I addressed you on the above subject .. I have been prevented by the " more pressing emergencies of my public and private avocations , " from giving the propositions I then put forward the further

attention I had intended . My last letter informed you of anticipated success in the endeavour to awaken the sympathies of brethren in more important stations than myself , and the hope that the proposed conference would not long be delayed . 'Tis true I then had promise of support from some influential brethren , but

there appeared to be much difficulty in securing their attendance in London on any given day , and a few disheartening and almost condemnatory remarks from some other brethren , coupled witli a domestic bereavement and business matters , induced me to let the matter sleep . May I ask your readers interested in this subject to

refer back to your pages and scan the correspondence which has already taken place . It will be found in Nos . 3 , 5 , 6 , 7 and 9 , and its perusal will prevent the necessity for recapitulation in this letter . I have met with no member of the Craft who does not readily admit the . truth of the propositions made

in such correspondence , and cheerfully approve of the suggestions for remedying the evils complained of . But I have met some who declare their perfect conviction that no attempt at alteration will succeed ; that there are in authority those who would most assuredly obstruct any movement which may disturb the present

apathy , and would designate any such attempt an innovation ; and who are surprised and sorry that such humble members of the Craft as myself and similar small fry should persist in the Quixotic endeavour ; & c , & c , & e . In fact , the dose they gave me was enough to set a weasel asleep ; I don't wonder it " set me off !"

From the time referred to up to the present , I have no knowledge of any possible progress in the direction to which your other correspondents and myself have pointed . But now we have before us " Sigma's'' statement in your impression of the 7 th instant , and this announces that a brother has been commissioned to

promulgate a revised working and has gone to—Woolwich!— to commence his labours . Well , I am sure that none of us would object to the place of starting , so long as we could see tiiat the subsequent course is to be over good ground , the running fair and open , and the goal to be reached the very point that we have

aimed at . Nor is it of consequence who may be the " mount" to guide the good steed " Uniformity" to the winning-post , so long as he be properly chosen , in good training , and firm of nerve and purpose . But that we have yet to learn . " Delta ' s " letter in your impression of the 14 th , seems to hint that some of

your correspondents on the subject have cognisance of this appointment . For myself and others who have communicated with me , I disclaim such knowledge , and can onl y say that if the fact is as stated , an unworthy use lias been made of our suggestions without tho slightest reference to , or acknowledgment of them .

After all , it may be only a diversion to cover a retreat from an obligation which , I think , is imposed on those who are " in authority over us . " To ascertain this , let a counter-demonstration be made , and let the suggested conference be at once held . If this is agreeable to even but a small section of those who think our

object good , and I receive but a dozen promises of attendance , a meeting shall he called within a few weeks to discuss future proceedings . If we find that the right thing has been done and promises to succeed ,

we need not disturb the arrangements made ; if not , then the proposed memorial can do no harm , and in any event the agitation will not have been altogether useless . Yours fraternally ,

JAMES STEVENS , P . M . and P . Z ., S . W . No . 1216 . Clapham-common , August 16 , 18 C 9 .

{ To the Editor of The Freemason . ) DEAR Slit AND BROTHER , — I echo the implied request of " Delta , " that the name of the new Masonic teacher should be given , and his authority published , before we are asked to suspend our present working . Country lodges will be put to some inconvenience if they cannot confer the degrees until the approved

ritual is promulgated ; and , in any ease , I do not see the necessity for withholding from the ) Craftthe information by wliom the work has been revised , and whether it is an amalgamation of Bro . Muggeridge ' s system with that of the late Stephen Uarton Wilson , or an entirely novel production of its supposed authors . Yours fraternally , A P . M . of 241 , Liverpool .